September 15, 2021
Over this past weekend, our grandson, Tyler, took on the project of sorting and rolling all of the coins I have carelessly tossed into a quart jar over the past couple of years.
In San Antonio, our credit union, RBFCU, had an electric coin sorter that could be used by CU members at no cost. We haven't found such here in Mesa, so the rolling seemed to be the best way to deal with the bulk coins. In a couple hours, Tyler had sorted and rolled over $58 worth of coins. But wait, there's more!
Amongst the coins, Tyler found an old, soiled brass token. I do not recall ever seeing it before, nor do I have any clue how it came into my possession. But it made me curious. The token, a little larger than a modern quarter, was imprinted 'L&B Co. General Merchandise the Store of Quality 1915 Hazelton, Idaho.' On the inverse was 'Good for 10¢ in Trade.'
I was intrigued. Knowing that Hazelton, Idaho resides in Jerome County, I researched the Jerome County Historical Society and, finding an email 'contact us' link, sent the following:
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From: Dan's Gmail <dan.g.moyes@gmail.com>
Date: September 11, 2021 at 12:30:51 PM MST
To: info@historicaljeromecounty.com
Subject: L & B Co., Hazelton, 1915
My
grandson is rolling coins for me from my loose change jar. He found a brass
token from the subject business. [picture below]
I grew up in Hazelton and graduated Valley HS in 1968 but have never heard of L&B. I see a similar token on sale on eBay for $25. What can you tell me about L&B? Would you want this token (at no cost)? TIA.
Dan Moyes
Mesa, AZ
(210) 413-7743.
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In return, I received the following:
Hello Dan,
I am always excited to find items of Jerome County. I had not seen this token
before, but am very glad you have it. I did some researching and got even more
excited when I found where the token was used!
At the Jerome County Historical Society Museum we have a book that Hazelton
City put together in 2011 for their 100 year celebration. I am attaching the
pages in that book that pertain to this token. The L&B Company had me
stumped at first. The name of the company is Longenberger & Belmont--no wonder
they shortened it to L&B! They first started in Milner and when
Milner ceased to be a community, they moved over to Hazelton. They were a farm
implement dealer. In 1946 it became Stokes Market then in 1960 became Mike's
Market. That is probably what you remember. it was sold several other times and
in 2011 was a health massage clinic. I will check to see what the building
holds at this time. S
Go to Jerome Idaho Public Library website to North Side News Digitized. You
will be able to search for about five early instances of the Longenberger
Belmont company.
We would love to receive the token if you wish to send it to us. It will
be put into a locked cabinet that originally had Timex watches in it so people
can look at it, but not touch it and will fill out a donation paper for
you.
My Dad grew up at Greenwood and graduated Hazelton High in 1932. Grandma and
Grandpa Helms moved to Hansen in 1947. Dad came back to Jerome to farm after
WWII in 1945.
Linda Helms, Curator, Jerome County Historical Society Museums
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So, I am going to mail the token to Ms. Helms at the Jerome County Historical Society Museum. It will be displayed, per her note above, identifying me as the donor! There you go. I will be named as a benefactor in a museum!
Ms. Helms also sent me copies of some pages from the book prepared by the city of Hazelton in 2011 to mark their first century and showing history of the L.& B. Co. Next time I'm in Idaho, I will surely visit the museum.
Along with the token I will include a letter explaining the connections of the Dille and Baum families to Greenwood and to Hazelton, as well. How about that?
